Page 123 of The Devil's Fire

“I see. Interesting story. So, Althaia is a caring person until you cross her, to where she will even kill her son.” Damiano summed it up.

“Yup, so you better be careful.” I teased.

“Are you threatening me now?” Damiano looked at me playfully.

“Gotta keep you on your toes now and then, don’t I?” I chuckled.

“I am trembling with fear.” He mocked, and I jokingly smacked his arm. “Though I would have done the same as Meleager. Insult my woman, you’re as good as dead.” He winked.

“He killed his uncles. That’s extreme.” I laughed.

“When a man sets his sights on someone, he’ll go to any length to ensure her protection, respect, and well-being. Whatever the sacrifice. He’ll stand guard, making sure no one can take her away from him in any way.” His eyes held mine, a gaze so intense, it wrapped me in warmth and a sense of... love.

That’s what it is. I feel loved.

We had come to a stop at the manor, but neither of us made a move to get out as our eyes stayed locked.

“You sound like a supervillain.” I said, trying to break the intense feeling before I said something I shouldn’t. “They say a villain would sacrifice the world to save you. A hero would sacrifice you to save the world.”

“I’m no hero then.”

“No.” I smiled. “You’re my villain.”

“Your villain.” Damiano sounded pleased.

“You’ve got the car for it, anyway.” I gestured to his Bugatti La Voiture Noire we were in. It was the sexiest car I had ever seen. “Oh! That reminds me, do you remember how you said I can try your car?”

Damiano leaned back and crossed his arms.

“I did.”

“So… Can I?”

“No.”

“What? Why not?” I said, completely offended.

“Because I said it purely to piss off that shit-face who works for your father.”

The insult made me gasp.

“Don’t call him that! What has he ever done to you?”

“Exist.” Damiano said it so fast it had me cracking up.

“Then what would you have done if I had said yes on the spot at the time, huh?” I retorted.

“I would have enjoyed the view of the fucker’s head exploding.” He said with a satisfied smirk.

“His name is Michael.” I told him but got a careless shrug in return. “At least I got to try his car. It’s better than your stupid car, anyway.” I bit my lip, so I wouldn’t laugh out loud as I got out of the car.

Damiano approached me with an amused expression on his face.

“There is absolutely nothing he has that is better than what I have.”

“Please, he has me, a badass friend. That beats everything you have.” I said cockily.

Damiano towered over me, his hand slowly fisting around my hair, and gently yanked it to have me look at him. His lips were faintly brushing mine as he spoke.

---